However, the minutes, days, and weeks after a car accident are also a critical time, both for your health as well as the viability of any personal injury case you may later decide to bring against any of the other drivers involved. Thus, anyone involved in a Rhode Island motor vehicle accident should follow these steps to ensure they get the medical attention they need and preserve their rights to recover financial compensation from the at-fault party. An experienced personal injury lawyer can advise you along the way.
Report the Accident
After an accident, the first thing to do is to report the accident by calling 911. Reporting a crash does two things. First, the 911 operator will send emergency responders to the scene to check you out and ensure whether or not you need emergency medical treatment. Second, when police respond to the scene, they will create an accident report. An accident report is critical to the success of a Rhode Island car accident claim because it serves as proof that the accident occurred.
Document the Accident Scene
If you are physically able to, do what you can to gather as much information as possible before leaving the scene. This includes speaking to anyone who witnessed the crash, and getting their contact information. You should also take pictures of the accident scene, including the locations of the vehicles, any damage to the vehicles or nearby stationary objects, as well as road signs, traffic lights, and lane markings.
Go to the Doctor
Even if emergency responders come to the scene and release you, it is still essential to see a doctor after an auto accident. Emergency responders are trained to stabilize accident victims but not to detect any potential long-term damage caused by the collision. Frequently, an accident victim’s adrenaline will kick in, masking their symptoms until hours or days after the accident. The only way to know the full extent of the injuries you suffered is to get checked out by a doctor.
Reach Out to a Rhode Island Personal Injury Lawyer
Once you are ready, the next step is to contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your case. A lawyer can answer any questions you have about the recovery process, and help you effectively bring a claim against the at-fault party or parties.
Contact Tapalian Law for Immediate Assistance
If you’ve been injured in a Rhode Island car accident, reach out to the dedicated injury attorneys at Tapalian Law. Attorney David Tapalian has extensive experience representing accident victims throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts in all types of motor vehicle collisions, including those involving pedestrians, bicyclists, trucks, motorcycles, and more. We offer a free consultation to all accident victims, and we are only paid if we help you obtain compensation for your injuries. To learn more, and to schedule a consultation with Personal Injury Attorney David Tapalian to discuss your case, call 401-552-5000 today, or contact us online. We provide services at our locations in Providence, Warwick, and Seekonk, MA.